The proper one where you can’t function and your skin hurts and everything’s inflamed and all you can do is to stare into the middle distance and wait for it to leave. I haven’t read anything, written anything, made anything for weeks and I’m still off coffee.

It’s not good, this illness thing. I’ve been utterly wrung out. Poor you with the labyrinthitis…hub had it a couple of years ago and he was not happy. Gross understatement. Hope you get your balance back very soon xx

Me too Claire. I’m never ill, my first time off work since 2009 but this has gone on for almost a fortnight . At the worst point I was in a hotel room supposedly going to a wedding dance but I had a bath, felt exactly like you’ve described and knew I was never going to get out of bed that night. Funny the going-off-coffee thing, i thought it was just me,although I had a craving at one point for instant rubbish. I also lost my voice for a week, only just managing to bark out low notes now. Feel better and well done for the poem xxx

Oh he buggered offshore of course. How come as women, even when we are ill we are expected to get on with looking after children (other people’s as well as my own), shopping( picked up a week’s supplies while collecting my prescription), cooking(although the girls did make me an omelette one night ). Perhaps I should lower my own expectations and learn to say no more often…?

The only times I’ve ever thought I wouldn’t mind dying were when I had ‘flu, so I really hope you’re beginning to pick up again. Take it steady, it takes longer than you want to get properly well, so be very gentle with yourself – loads of pampering is essential!

Thanks cricketmuse….tea and sympathy very well received. Had a coffee in the caff this morning after dropping off youngest. In fact, sat outside in the sun (still barely hovering above freezing but I have a big coat!) and feel much much better! Hope your crummies stop. I find large slugs of whiskey help….x